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I’m never one to fuss over fringe. Where I come from, maximum value must be obtained from whatever you buy. I can see one of my auntie’s cringe at the thought of buying an expensive material and shredding it in the name of ‘fashion’. A full fledged Kaba and Slit is maximum value and use of cloth.

I can’t help but notice the cocky elements of fringe as I swapthrough Vogue’s issues (January – May 2015) From fringe purses to skirts, sleeves etc Vogue has simply assailed me. I must admit, it is tempting to think of owning something that dangles with every breeze as nothing in my personal style and choice of clothing ever favors loose, free, anything.

As thrilled as I am by the idea of trying something new, I see myself fussing and trying to prevent flying strands of cloth from brushing people’s faces if I stood too close, should I be wearing fringe. Perhaps fringe on the lower part of my body might suffice? Wait, what if my heels get caught on them? The longer I think this out, the more irrational the fears are, that come to mind.

I have seen certain fringe outfits that seem to have a sort of structure and firmness. Those definitely have me considering a visit to my tailor.

Might you want to risk fringe, here are few inspiration I drew from African designer lookbooks. If you aren’t fringe shy, do tell how you rocked this trend.

Like this:

Prints crawled up menswear seasons ago. With florals in the lead, there’s nary a pair of shorts that won’t come unadorned next season. Does this mean you’ll swap your formula for cool (denim-on-denim, cigarette pants, caramel shorts?) and drape your hungers with florals? No. Men don’t trip like that.

What’s the deal with prints then?

I’ll tell you what; designers have found a way to manipulate forage such that a single leaf floating across a shirt immediately starts a conversation. What better way to go through the day? But if you’d rather not deal with people, then let’s zoom out on self and consider this a gently prodding …you might find to your surprise you like how you look in them.

image: dolce and gabbana

Start Small

The thing with change, irrespective of the scale, is small, continuous effort. You may consider swapping your plain blue/paisley ties, socks, sneakers, pair of shorts for a flora. Study how you feel in it and the reaction it elicits. If you’re on edge all day ‘cos you’re rocking a trend, take the heat off…focus on the task at hand or that co-workers eyebrows. In no time, with minimal effort you’ll become a trend harlot.

image: crispculture

Style matters

Keep true to your style – whatever it is – find a floral that fits into your modus operandi.If it’s just not you, carry on mister. Trends offer a chance to discover things about yourself, flirt with fashion and indulge but they’re also commercially engineered so don’t ever feel pressured.

A NOVEL BY PHILIP MARGULIES

Based loosely on true life, Philip Margulies lets his main character do the telling. Arabella Goodwin tells of her life before and after the death of both parents. She is shipped off with her brother Lewis from their comfortable New York City home to her aunt’s farm where she meets her lifelong nemesis, Agnes and Jeptha a man whose love becomes an obsession that lasts her entire life. Leaving in her trail murder, blackmail, forgery… she bears a gambler’s son, becomes a wealthy and sought after madam of the finest parlor house of the time.

Belle Cora is every bit as cunning as the curly, dripping font on its cover. I find the corset on the cover intriguing and a foreshadow of the story – while the narrative starts slow depicting a well-pieced together family, the cracks begin to show when the swift fingers of fate unbutton blow after blow on a seemingly ‘normal’ family. We are given not a glimpse, but a full glaring view of what lies beneath the corset of Belle Cora; the novel and character.

I’ll tell you what piqued my interest; first, the becoming of Belle Cora – the struggle and consequent acceptance of self. This confident well sought after madam flourishes on society’s disapproval and flaunts her status fearlessly. Au contraire, she helplessly craves acceptance from Jeptha, her one true love. When it finally comes in a letter from the war front she is torn and probably realizes she didn’t have to go through the rigorous scheme of being someone else. Her family chooses to relate with the girl she once was – innocent, morally uptight upright and descent. She finds herself hiding her identity from her son out of shame at the same time blatantly throwing it at her grandfather. The dynamics of love, sex, money and power peak in the Gold Rush San Francisco setting of 1883.

When she splits his toe with a short gun to prevent him from being enlisted in the army, Jeptha says to her ‘my friends were jealous and wished they had a woman who would fight to have them stay.’

Philip Margulies smoothly glides over an age-old profession to reveal a woman who’s been broken and remade and each time comes out more beautiful. The many facets of Cora and the rich historic setting lends such ‘realness’ to the story, creating a novel that’s deeply disturbing and intellectually satisfying.

Check out these reviews!

“I was extremely pleased with this novel and recommend it to anyone who likes a good protagonist with an awesome backstory!” – Charming Chelsey’s

“Long live good girls gone bad! A stunning read and an unforgettable story!” – The Lit Bitch